Cuckoo Reference

No German markings are visible, so it's reasonable to assume the tank has been repainted from the original dunkelgelb, likely using the same SCC 15 Olive Drab as the unit's Churchills. Left rear storage bin isn't easily visible but does appear to be the April 1944 type. Storage bins do not show Zimmerit applied, whereas the hull and turret have Zimmerit. No side skirts (Schurzen) on the tank either. Might have Zimmerit on the lower hull, or it could just be film grain.

Also worth noting: this photo is clear enough to count the rim bolts on the road wheels, and they're clearly the 24-bolt type introduced from August 1943 onward. You'd expect that with an Ausf. G, but many got replaced with the older 16-bolt type when they went into maintenance. Not so for Cuckoo, which at least on the right side outer wheels visible here seems to have all 24-bolt types. 

This is a still from film from British Pathe apparently taken during Operation Blackcock in January 1945. This photo clearly shows the late type rear storage bin on the left rear of the tank, and that the rear storage bins did not have Zimmerit applied.

Source: britishpathe.com/video/tanks-2 

Another still from film from British Pathe, January 1945. This shows the white paint on the rear storage bins, and what looks like a diamond marking on the rear of the turret, overlapping the open hatch.

Source: britishpathe.com/video/tanks-2 

I believe this is from November 1944, with the tank following a group of Churchills. Has clearly been repainted from its dunkelgelb, again likely using the unit's standard SCC 15. Tracks appear to be the late type with the chevrons on the raised section of the tread. It does look like the paler section in the upper-middle of the front hull lacks the Zimmerit texture, which seems likely to be damaged Zimmerit. Likewise the patch on the left side of the turret, forward of the star. 

I believe this is from November 1944. Cuckoo is visible at the rear of this column of Churchills, and the colour of all five tanks seems the same. Interestingly, the Churchills seem to have spare track from M4s on their turrets. 

THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH-WEST EUROPE 1944-1945 (B 12184) 'Cuckoo', a German Panther tank captured in running order by the 4th Coldstream Guards, seen here in action against Geijsteren castle on the banks of the Maas, 29 November 1944. Copyright: ? IWM. Original Source: iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205206485 

THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH-WEST EUROPE 1944-1945 (B 12183) A Churchill tank and behind, a captured German Panther of the 4th Coldstream Guards in action against Geijsteren castle on the banks of the Maas, 29 November 1944. Copyright: ? IWM. Original Source: iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205206484 

Good view of Cuckoo's left side. The paler coloured patches on the turret and hull could be damaged Zimmerit? Damaged Zimmerit would be harder to see if the tank were repainted over the top of the damage, which seems likely. 

Can't be 100% sure this is Cuckoo, but how many Panthers driven around by British tankers are you likely to see? The paler section on the upper middle of the front hull could be damaged Zimmerit, but it's hard to tell. 

Cuckoo's final resting place, apparently. If anybody has a copy of "Ground Power #24", the April or May 1996 issue, I'd love more context on this image! 

Plan of the late rear stowage box from p.163 of Panzer Tracts 05-3. The caption suggests this design was introduced in April '45, but this is clearly incorrect as Cuckoo is shown carrying one after being captured in October '44. Likely this is a simple mistake, and the actual introduction is April 1944. 

Drawing of the late-type rear stowage box from p. 146 of Panther External & Appearance Design Changes by Roddy Macdougall & Martin Block. This text claims this design was installed from August/September of 1944, which is at least more likely than the April '45 date from Panzer Tracts. No source is given for this date though. 

An example of the late/final-type stowage box on Bovington's post-war construction Panther. 

First of the two profiles Takom includes in the kit, with completely wrong details. There are no pictures of Cuckoo with side skirts, and the kit is missing the later-style left-hand rear storage box, not to mention the profile shows both rear boxes with Zimmerit. 

Second of two incorrect profiles in the Takom kit. The turret side paint details are pretty alright, but the rear of the turret lacks any markings like those seen in the Pathe footage, nor does the white rear turret hatch match that footage. The white on the side skirts is completely invented, since Cuckoo never had side skirts, let alone ones that were painted white! The white on the rear toolboxes also doesn't match the Pathe footage either, which shows both toolboxes completely covered with the white paint, not just in patches, though some has worn off in the footage.

I'm no rivet-counter, but it does seem weird to just make up colour scheme details like the white on the non-existent side skirts... 

From 'Captured Panzers: German Vehicles in Allied Service (Mini Topcolors)'. The blue on the name and the diamond on the back seem entirely speculative, but the Pathe footage does at least show something that could be the rear diamond?

The text has some interesting notes about the colour and the use of a Type 19 radio, but no source is given.